Stepper Motors

Stepper motors are used to achieve precise positioning via digital control. The motor operates by accurately synchronizing with the pulse signal output from the controller to the driver. Stepper motors, with their ability to produce high torque at low speed while minimizing vibration, are ideal for applications requiring quick positioning over a short distance.

• Stepper Motor Overview - an introduction to stepper motor technology.

• The Basics of Stepper Motors - Learn about the types of stepper motors, how they work and the key features and benefits of stepper motor technology.

• 2-phase (0.9°/1.8°) and 5-phase (0.36°/0.72°) Stepper Motor Comparison - Learn the similarities and differences of two core stepper motor technologies.

• Stepper Motor Gearheads - Learn about the various gearhead options available for stepper motors.

• Stepper Motor Glossary of Terms

• Speed-Torque Curves for Stepper Motors - When selecting a stepper motor, the speed — torque characteristic curves provided by manufacturers presents an idea of what performance can be expected from a motor. These curves show what performance different motor and driver combinations can provide to your application. This article will describe how a speed - torque curve for a stepper motor is generated and what are the important points to look for on a curve.

• Stepper Motor Driver Technology - In order to get maximum performance from a stepper motor, careful consideration should be given as to what type of driver will be used. A well designed driver will ensure that the maximum torque is generated by the motor at the speed that is required.   The drive circuit that switches the direction of current supplied to the stepper motor coils as well as the excitation sequence of coils is called the "driver." The driver controls motor current switching in accordance with the speed and number of pulse signals input from the controller.  

• The New Pentagon Bipolar Driver for 0.36°/0.72° Stepper Motors - Oriental Motor stepper motors with a step angles of 0.36° or 0.72° are wound in the bipolar New Pentagon configuration and, therefore, require a bipolar type driver. The New Pentagon bipolar driver allows the stepper motor to be driven at full step, half step and even microstep resolutions while ensuring that maximum torque is being generated by the motor on every step. This is a unique advantage for 0.36° or 0.72° stepper motors. The New Pentagon bipolar drive method also provides extremely smooth motion as well as maintaining torque and step accuracy regardless of the step resolution.

• New Pentagon (Bipolar) Stepper Motor Driver Options - While it is known that New Pentagon (Bipolar) stepper motors are used in the medical, semiconductor, surveillance, solar and printing industries because of the inherent advantages of higher resolution and lower vibration over 2-phase stepper motors, it is not as well known what driver options  for New Pentagon (Bipolar) stepper motors  are available.  This article will discuss what factors a designer  will usually consider  when selecting a driver for their application.

• New Pentagon Driver Chip Set - Any stepper motor driver circuit requires several logic and power circuit functions to work together to supply the proper amount of current at the right time to the stepper motor windings in order for the motor to provide accurate and smooth motion to the load. Figure 1 below shows the basic functional block diagram of a New Pentagon driver circuit. Each of these functions is an important part of the overall circuit and close attention should be paid to each of them.

• Stepper Motor Lower Loss Technology Development - The stepper motor can control the speed and the position accurately in an open loop control mode. The stepper motor had a disadvantage of large heat generation when rotating at high speed. It has had an advantage in which it can be used easily. The stepper motor has been used mainly to utilize the standstill holding brake force and the torque at low speed. However, recently, another customer demand for being able to operate continuously at high speed has risen thereby shortening the cycle equipment time. The motor loss is greatly reduced compared with the conventional stepper motor by use of suitable lamination sheet and fastening method of the laminated iron core. This paper focuses on lowering the losses of the stepping motor. The motor shown in Table.1 is selected for the conventional stepping motor described in this paper.

• How to Address Increased Loads in Both Size and Weight - Increasing the size and weight will increase the inertia of the load and the torque required to move the load. Gearing is a great option for overcoming large inertia loads as it will decrease the reflected inertia on the motor by the gear ratio squared. Adding a gear ratio will also increase the amount of torque generated. Typically, the torque produced is equal to the motor torque multiplied by the gear ratio and the efficiency of the gear. However, there are instances when the output torque is limited based on other mechanical reasons, such as gear teeth strength, gear case strength, or gear carrier strength. This paper discusses various gear options that are available for use.

• How to Use Sensor Less Homing to Create a Hard Stop and Change Direction - The AR series features extended functions not normally offered on conventional stepper motors. Using the TLC output on the AR, we can sense a preset torque setting range or perform a torque control function. This range is based on the motor current setting using either the MEXE02 software or OPX-2A data setter. During the application, the user can turn on the T-mode input which will activate the torque control mode or push motion. The user can manipulate the M0, M1, and M2 inputs to correspond to the motor current setting or torque setting desired.

Servo Motors

The servo motor is specialized for high-response, high-precision positioning. The servo motor is composed of three elements: the motor, the encoder and the driver. As a motor capable of accurate rotation angle and speed control, it can be used for a variety of equipment. The tuning-free servo motor and driver package in the NX Series are easy to operate and allows for smooth operation with large inertial loads and belt mechanism.

• Features of a Servo Motor
• Servo Motor Overview - an introduction to Servo motor technology
• Servo Motor Glossary of Terms

AC Motors

Standard AC Motors operate by simply connecting a capacitor and supplying power from a commercial power supply. Standard AC Motors include the basic induction motor and reversible motor. In addition, Oriental Motor offers electromagnetic brake motors, synchronous motors, torque motors and watertight, dust-resistant motors to meet specific application requirements.

• Standard AC Motor Overview - an introduction to AC motor technology
• AC Motor Glossary of Terms

• High Torque, Long Life, Low Noise Geared AC Motor Advantages - Small standard AC motors have been used in a wide range of applications such as industrial facilities and office equipment. Standard AC motors are now often used in medical equipment and health appliances that impose strict requirements on audible noise. Oriental Motor has created a technology to lower noise in our small standard V series AC motors and have worked on the development of products that meet the market needs. The noise of the V series was reduced and this paper uses this V series as an example to introduce our work on lowering noise and our measures to solve noise problems that can cause trouble in our customers' systems.
• Using a Torque Motor for Winding and Unwinding Type Applications - A torque motor is an excellent product for winding and unwinding type applications. Due to the design of the motor, it reaches full torque at 0 output speed, or locked rotor condition. A torque motor can act as a brake when back driven, or a simple device to provide tension. Depending on the torque setting, the motor will provide tension to the material while taking up slack in the line automatically, essentially matching the line speed

Brushless Motors / AC Speed Control Motors

Brushless motors / AC speed control systems are ideal for applications that require the precise control of speed. Brushless motors / AC speed control systems can be either highly efficient brushless motors or simple-to-use AC motors.

• How to select between AC, Brushless and Brushed Motors - Comparison of speed control motor technology
• Brushless & AC Motor Overview - an introduction to Brushless motor technology.

• Speed Control Methods of Various Types of Speed Control Motors - A large number of motors are being used for general purposes in our surroundings from house-hold equipment to machine tools in industrial facilities. The electric motor is now a necessary and indispensable source of power in many industries. The function and the performance required for these motors are wide-ranging. When focusing attention on the speed control segment of the motor market, servo and stepper motors control their speed with a pulse train, while the induction motor and the brushless DC motor control speed with an external resistor and/or DC voltage.

Linear & Rotary Actuators

A linear motion product incorporating a motor and linear-motion mechanism. Drawing on our expertise as a motor manufacturer, Oriental Motor offers a wide range of linear motion products in various shapes and sizes, featuring different motor types, drive methods and power inputs.

• Motorized Linear Slide Glossary of Terms
• Motorized Cylinder Glossary of Terms

• Features of the "High Rigidity Type" DG Series Hollow Rotary Actuator - The DG series hollow rotary actuator was developed for positioning applications such as rotating a table and swiveling an arm. The mounting frame size of 60mm was released first. The DG actuator has been installed in equipment for the manufacture of semiconductors, electronic parts, and inspection equipment because of its ability to simplify wiring and piping requirements by utilizing the compact, hollow output table. It has also been requested to drive large inertia loads with high torque for conveyors.

• Features of the EZS II Series Motorized Linear Slides - Motorized linear slides are used mainly for carrying loads in industrial manufacturing facilities. As the purpose of the facilities advance, the machinery in them becomes more complicated. Construction time also decreases therefore decreasing the time allowed to prepare the production lines. This makes it necessary for the components used on the production lines to be reduced in size, delivered quickly, and easy to use.

Cooling Fans

Oriental Motor offers a wide range of cooling fans, including a cooling module suitable for enclosure cooling, axial flow fans for local cooling, as well as fans with low-speed or stall alarms or variable flow type.

• Cooling Fans Overview - an introduction to Cooling Fan technology.

General Reference

• Gearheads Overview - AC, Brushless and Stepper Motor gearheads.

• Appropriate Usage of Cooling Fan in Consideration of Noise Reduction - The noise where a fan is mounted in equipment is significantly influenced by the airflow in the fan's circumference and the pressure loss characteristic of the equipment to be cooled. Therefore, it is necessary to select an optimal fan in consideration of the airflow in the fan circumference and the fan's operating point.
• Safety Standards for Fan Motors - With upgraded performance and density of HVAC (separate Heating, Ventilation and Air-Conditioning) systems, demands for fan motors are increasing throughout the world. To meet such demands, Oriental Motor has a number of products which have safety recognition. Described here are the standards of Canada, Europe, Japan and the U.S.A..
• Characteristics of Centrifugal Blower and Its Effective Use in High Static Pressure Area - With small fans, selecting the right fan that most fits the purpose is extremely important from the standpoint of energy efficiency, noise reduction, and weight reduction. However, the number of small fan types is large. In addition, their purposes vary widely ranging from cooling and ventilation, to air extraction. Therefore, we must select a fan that most fits its purpose. Here, we introduce one small fan type, the Sirocco fan. We will explain how the motor is able to perform with high efficiency and low noise in a high static pressure environment and how this fan is most suitable for cooling the recent high density mounting equipment.
• Proposals for Using "Cooling Modules: FM Series" as Measures against Heat, Dust and Water - "Measures against dust and water" and "Cost reduction for manufacturing and maintenance" are very important aspects of control panel design as well as measures against heat generation. Oriental Motor suggests Cooling Modules: FM series as ideal solution to those issues. FM series consists of user friendly modular fans already assembled with filter and finger guard. Features, how to use, and a sample sizing are explained as below.
• Approach to Lead-Free Soldering for Electric Circuit - Oriental Motor Co., Ltd. launched the lead-free solder project in November of 1999 in response to the Restriction of Hazardous Substances in Electrical and Electronic Equipment (RoHS Directive) that will be enforced in the EU starting July 01, 2006. The melting point of the Sn-Ag-Cu lead-free solder system is about 220°C, which is about 40°C higher than that of Sn-Pb eutectic solder (melting point 183°C) that is currently being used, meaning that it cannot be used in the current manufacturing process. Using Sn-Ag-Cu lead-free solder requires more heat resistant parts and a reflow furnace with high-accuracy temperature control.